Dog Car Sickness: Why Do Dogs Get Car Sick?

Dog car sickness can put a damper on car trips. Your poor dog feels nauseous and anxious. And if your dog vomits in the car, you are left with clean-up duty. To help dogs who get car sick, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby shares a two-part series on dog car sickness. In part one (this article), you’ll learn the factors that contribute to dog motion sickness, the symptoms to watch for, and what to do if your dog gets car sick. Then, in part two, you’ll discover a multitude of dog car sickness remedies.

I always looked forward to seeing Russell, a happy-go-lucky Labrador. On each visit, he was eager to cover me in sloppy dog kisses. But when I walked into the exam room this time, my client quickly told me that I might not want to let Russell get too close to my face. Before I could ask, “Why not?” he continued on to say that his poor pup had thrown up all over the car on the drive.

As it turns out, my client had recently moved, so the trip to the clinic now took an hour over winding country roads rather than being a quick five-minute jaunt. This longer, and more curvy route apparently didn’t sit so well for his poor dog, who experienced dog car sickness that day.

In addition to performing a wellness exam and vaccinations, we also discussed motion sickness in dogs. And I gave my client some tips that could hopefully make future drives more pleasant for both of them.

Can dogs get car sick?

Like people, dogs can get car sick (and sea sick, air sick, and train sick too). If your dog is panting excessively, whining, drooling, licking his or her lips, or otherwise acting nauseous or anxious in the car, there is a good chance motion sickness could be to blame.

Dogs feel car sick long before they vomit, so dog car sickness really encompasses the events from the time the dog starts to feel a bit anxious or unwell to the point when he or she vomits (if your dog gets that far).

Note: Since cars are the most common mode of transportation for dogs, the focus here is on car sickness in dogs. But the information can easily translate to boat, train, bus, or plane sickness too.

Why do dogs get car sick?

In dogs, motion sickness can happen for three main reasons:

1. Improper sense of balance can cause car sickness in dogs

Your dog’s senses help your dog’s brain process his or her surroundings. The eyes play an important role in detecting motion and recognizing orientation. Additionally, the information from the inner ear is critical for maintaining balance and your dog’s “sense of space” in relation to his or her surroundings.

However, if the delicate structures of the inner ear are damaged or underdeveloped, the inner ear cannot recognize and respond to motion properly. Now the eyes and inner ears don’t communicate the same signals—therefore confusing the brain. This unbalanced feeling can cause car sickness in dogs.

2. Car-related anxiety and motion sickness go hand in hand

Anxiety is one of the main causes of car sickness in dogs. When a dog is nervous and stressed in the car, he or she can become overwhelmed. This can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in the car. If this happens to a dog multiple times, the dog will begin to correlate the car with feeling nauseous—leading to more anxiety and an increased risk of car sickness.

3. An already upset stomach can contribute to motion sickness

If your dog ate something that he or she shouldn’t, your dog might get sick in the car (even if he or she doesn’t usually experience motion sickness). Or, if your dog has abdominal pain and/or nausea due to a medical condition, he or she has a higher chance of getting motion sick.

Which dogs are most likely to develop car sickness?

Based on those causes of car sickness in dogs, dogs in the following categories are most likely to struggle with motion sickness.

Young dogs

If the inner ear is not fully developed yet, a dog may be more prone to car sickness. This is one reason young dogs are more likely to experience car sickness than adult dogs. Thankfully, if the motion sickness is related to an immature inner ear, puppies can grow out of it by about 1-year-old.

Dogs with inner ear problems

In other situations, the dog may have experienced damage to the inner ear. For example, dogs who have been diagnosed with severe ear infections (i.e. otitis in dogs) that have reached the inner ear can become car sick more often. And older dogs with vestibular disease in dogs have problems with balance, orientation, and motion sickness.

Dogs who are anxious about car rides

Anxiety can also turn into car sickness for some dogs. Or the dog may become anxious because he or she is feeling motion sick. Sometimes it is a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario. But regardless, there are many reasons dogs suffer from car-related anxiety. Some of the most common include:

• Previous bad experiences in the car—If dogs have gotten car sick in the past, they may start to associate the car with feeling sick. This can lead to anxiousness in the car. Dogs who have been in car accidents or other stressful situations are also more prone to feeling nervous the next time they ride in a vehicle.
• Only taking car rides to places the dog doesn’t want to go—If a dog only rides in the car once or twice a year and ends up at the groomer, vet, or boarding kennel, he or she may begin to associate the car with a stressful upcoming experience. In turn, this leads to anxiety and car sickness.
• Your mood or behavior in the car—Your dog knows you well and is sensitive to your emotional state. Since driving makes many people anxious, stressed, or mad at some point, a dog may pick up on that and become stressed too. Over time, your dog may start to associate the car with you yelling, gesturing, or just generally feeling stressed and see it as an unpleasant place to be.
• Lack of car training—Dogs need to learn to get used to car rides, just like they need to learn commands or housebreaking. However, many dog parents accidentally overlook the need to use praise and positive reinforcement to teach their dog that riding in the car is good, safe, and enjoyable.

Dogs who find the environment in the car uncomfortable

There are also physical features associated with car travel that can make a dog feel ill at ease. The air pressure changes that occur as you change elevation can be unfamiliar and scary to your dog. And roads with sharp turns or curves that are taken too fast can make your dog feel unbalanced and unstable. Your dog may worry he or she could fall over and get hurt at any moment.

Additionally, if it is hot in the back of the car because your air conditioning doesn’t reach behind the seat or the car windows aren’t down, this can make your dog uneasy or nauseous. And the loud music that you may enjoy is even louder for your dog. This could cause stress—especially if the base is vibrating and your dog detects it.

Dogs with nausea-inducing medical problems

Finally, as discussed previously, dogs who are nauseous or vomiting for other reasons are also more likely to become car sick. While there are a lot of conditions that could fit that description, some of the more common ones are:

• Pancreatitis in dogs
• Liver disease in dogs
• Kidney failure in dogs
• Diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs (DKA)
• Ingesting a dog toxin like chocolate or a foreign object
• Gastritis in dogs (inflammation of the stomach) or gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)

In these situations, the bigger problem is the medical condition causing the vomiting, and not necessarily the car itself. However, the memory of feeling sick in the car and ending up at the vet for tests and treatment could make some dogs anxious about future car trips and therefore more likely to get car sick again.

How do you know your dog is anxious in the car?

Because anxiety and car sickness are so closely related, it is a good idea for dog parents to watch for signs of anxiety whenever they are riding in the car with their dog. Some of these signs include:

• Pacing
• Panting
• Excessive drooling
• Whining or whimpering
• Barking more than normal
• Trembling and shaking
• Eyes wide with whites showing more than normal
• Tail tucked between legs
• Unable to settle down
• Unwilling to sit or lay down
• Trying to climb over seats or change location within the car
• Excessively licking or chewing at the paws
• Seeming frozen in one spot and trembling

Some dogs with anxiety will show only one or two of these signs. Others may show all of them. As the anxiety builds, the dog may start to get car sick. Or, it is also possible that you are seeing these signs because the dog is anxious about the fact that he or she is already feeling car sick.

What are the symptoms of dog car sickness?

While dogs can’t tell us they are feeling sick, there are some signs that indicate your dog might be nauseous. As discussed, many dogs who are getting car sick will show some anxiety symptoms. Plus, you might notice symptoms of motion sickness like:

• Pacing or being unable to lay down
• Whining or whimpering
• Drooling and the dog panting excessively
• Smacking lips or a dog who keeps licking his or her lips
• Being a lethargic dog
• Gagging or retching
• Vomiting
• Pooping in the car or having diarrhea

How can you help dogs with car sickness if you are seeing the signs while driving?

If you’re traveling and your dog starts to act anxious or car sick, follow these tips to help your dog feel better.

1. Take your dog for a short walk in a safe location.

If you’re in an area where it’s safe to pull your car over, a quick rest stop can help your dog reset. Carefully let your dog out of the car. Be ready to grab his or her leash or collar in case your dog tries to make a break for it to get far away from the “scary” vehicle.

Then give your dog time to walk around outside and calm down. Getting some fresh air and regaining balance and orientation will help your dog feel less nauseous. It also might relieve some of your dog’s anxiety. Hopefully then your dog will have less of a chance of becoming sick again when you resume your drive.

2. Don’t feed your dog or offer large amounts of water.

Don’t offer your dog food or large amounts of water during this time. Doing so could upset your dog’s stomach more and cause him or her to vomit.

3. Stay calm and don’t punish your dog.

If your dog did vomit or defecate in your car, I am sorry! This experience is not fun for you or your dog. But it is important that you stay calm and don’t yell at or punish your dog. It’s not your dog’s fault that he or she felt sick, and scolding your dog could increase anxiety.

4. Take a few minutes for yourself.

Clean up the mess (if there is one) and try to regain your own composure after dealing with this unpleasant situation. Once you and your dog return to the car, attempt to keep your dog comfortable and relaxed as you continue your trip.

5. Turn on the AC or keep the car cool and quiet.

As mentioned earlier, a warm car and loud music can contribute to your dog’s uneasiness. After your dog has had a short walk, make the environment as cool and comfortable inside the car as possible by turning on the A/C or opening the side windows and playing soothing music.

How long does motion sickness last in dogs?

Once you reach your destination, let your dog out of the car again. (Be prepared for the possibility that your dog may try to bolt.) Take a nice calming walk and clean up the car, if you haven’t already.

Thankfully, many dogs will begin to feel better as soon as the car has stopped moving and they are walking on solid ground again. However, some dogs may continue to feel nauseous for about 30 minutes after the car stops—especially if it was a long road trip or your dog was very sick.

How do you treat car sickness in dogs?

If your dog appears nauseous for a while after stopping the car, wait at least 30 minutes to offer food and large amounts of water. This will allow your dog’s stomach to settle before consuming anything.

Since the nausea usually subsides after getting out of the car, most dogs don’t need a specific treatment for motion sickness after the fact. However, anti-nausea medications or other treatments prescribed by the veterinarian can be helpful for dogs who get car sick due to an underlying medical condition that is also causing nausea or vomiting.

How do you prevent dog car sickness from happening in the future?

Partnering with your veterinarian is your best course of action for preventing car sickness. At the visit, your vet will probably ask questions about your dog’s previous experiences in the car and your dog’s stress level. With this information, you can work together to create a plan to hopefully prevent motion sickness in the future. Below, are some tips for dog car sickness remedies.

1. Speak with your vet about medications and supplements to reduce motion sickness

Your vet can help you figure out which over-the-counter or prescription medications and/or supplements can help reduce your dog’s motion sickness. Some common anti-nausea medications your dog could benefit from prior to the trip include:

• Dramamine
• Benadryl for dogs
• Cerenia for dogs
• Meclizine for dogs

Additionally, if anxiety may be playing a role in your dog’s motion sickness, it can be helpful to talk to your vet about natural calming products or anti-anxiety medications for dogs like fluoxetine, gabapentin for dogs, or trazodone for dogs.

2. Limit food a few hours before traveling.

Consider withholding food for 8-12 hours before the trip so your dog has an empty stomach. However, it is important to continue to allow your dog access to water to help your dog remain hydrated and keep your dog cool in summer.

3. Work on desensitizing your dog to car rides.

Teach your dog that the car is a positive place. Start out with just having your dog in the car for a few minutes at a time, gradually building up to short trips, then longer ones. Pair this with praise and special toys or treats.

4. Make the car cozy for your dog.

Make the car comfortable for your dog by keeping the car cool, bringing something familiar from home, keeping the music quiet, staying calm, and using a dog seat belt or crate. (Remember that using car restraints for dogs saves lives—both your dog’s and yours.)

Get to the bottom of your dog’s car sickness

After our discussion, my client worked on desensitizing his dog with some trips around the block and bought his highly toy-motivated dog a new toy that was just for car rides. Soon enough, Russell was back to enjoying riding in the car again and was not getting sick anymore.

If your dog is also struggling with car sickness, you can do the same thing I did for my client and his dog. Think about the factors that influence car sickness—Is your dog young? Did he or she have a bad experience in the car? Are you seeing signs of anxiety? Does your dog ride in the car infrequently? Have you ever tried to “car-train” your dog? Do you think your dog might have a medical condition that is contributing to his or her car sickness?

Once you (with the help of your veterinarian) figure out why your dog might be getting car sick, you can create a plan to decrease your dog’s motion sickness. And hopefully, you and your dog will be having nausea-free, anxiety-free, trips in the car soon too!

What do you think contributes to your dog’s car sickness?

Please comment below.